Eddington, Cambridge

Eddington, Cambridge. Eddington is a major new district and urban extension in the northwest of the city of Cambridge, England. Formally known as the North West Cambridge Development, it is a pioneering project led by the University of Cambridge to provide housing for its staff and postgraduates while integrating academic facilities and community amenities. The development is named in honour of the renowned astronomer and physicist Arthur Eddington, who was a professor at the University of Cambridge and a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.

History

The genesis of the district lies in the University of Cambridge's long-term strategic plans to address a critical shortage of affordable housing for its employees and students. Following a public inquiry, outline planning permission was granted by Cambridge City Council in 2013, with construction commencing shortly thereafter on former university-owned agricultural land. The masterplan was developed through an international design competition, with key input from architects such as AECOM and Mole Architects. The first residents moved into their homes in 2017, marking the creation of a new community within the historic city. The development is considered one of the largest of its kind undertaken by a British university and is seen as a direct response to the housing pressures within the Cambridge phenomenon economic region.

Geography

Eddington is situated approximately two miles northwest of Cambridge city centre, bordered by the M11 motorway to the west and the existing suburbs of Girton and Histon to the north. The site encompasses around 150 hectares, strategically located within the Cambridge Green Belt but granted an exception for this development. A significant engineered lake, named Storey's Field, forms a central landscape feature, providing sustainable drainage and a focal point for the community. The area's topography is generally flat, characteristic of the East Anglian fens, and the design incorporates extensive green corridors and public open spaces that link to wider networks like the Cambridge Guided Busway.

Education and research

Education is a cornerstone of the community, with a primary school, University of Cambridge Primary School, acting as both a community facility and a national training school for teachers. The district also hosts postgraduate accommodation for several University of Cambridge colleges, including key facilities for Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge and Homerton College, Cambridge. Furthermore, Eddington is home to the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and accommodates researchers and staff associated with the Cavendish Laboratory and other university departments. This integration of living and working spaces fosters a direct connection between the residential community and the university's STEM and sustainability research missions.

Architecture and design

The architecture and masterplan of Eddington are defined by stringent sustainability criteria and innovative design codes set by the University of Cambridge. A team led by architects AECOM and Mole Architects established the framework, with individual plots developed by various builders like Hill Group and Barratt Developments. The district is noted for its high density, low-carbon construction, and use of traditional materials like gault brick in a contemporary manner. Significant structures include the Storey's Field Centre and the University of Cambridge Primary School, both designed by Mole Architects. The overall aesthetic prioritises pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, consistent building heights, and a cohesive urban form that references the traditional collegiate architecture of Cambridge while employing modern environmental standards.

Transport

Sustainable transport is a fundamental principle, with a network designed to prioritise walking, cycling, and public transit over private car use. The district is directly served by the Cambridge Guided Busway, with a stop at Storey's Field providing rapid links to Cambridge railway station, Cambridge Science Park, and St Ives, Cambridgeshire. An extensive network of cycle paths connects seamlessly to the city-wide Cambridgeshire cycle route system. Car travel is deliberately managed through a home zone design with reduced road speeds, and parking is predominantly located in peripheral courts or undercroft areas to maintain pedestrian-friendly streets. Major road connections are provided via the A14 road and M11 motorway, which skirt the development's boundaries.